The prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) has witnessed a progressive increase in China. A survey of self-reported AR using validated questionnaire-based telephone interviews in adult subjects conducted between 2004 and 2005 demonstrated that the prevalence of AR in 11 major cities across China was 11.1%1 . A subsequent survey of self-reported AR in adult residents of 18 major cities in China, conducted from 2005 to 2011, has reported that the prevalence of AR in 2011 had increased markedly to 17.6%2 . In particular, of the 11 cities in the original survey, which were also included in the second survey, the prevalence of AR had significantly increased in eight.